Gloria Steinem, the outspoken author and feminist who has been an advocate for gender equality for nearly 50 years, lamented the Trump administration, but expressed hope for future generations of women Wednesday in a discussion on the opening night of the Massachusetts Conference for Women.

“I’m also glad to be in a state whose governor keeps us from seeing the Republican Party taken over by the invasion of the body-snatchers,’’ Steinem said of Governor Charlie Baker, drawing loud applause from hundreds that filled the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

She referred to President Trump as the “sexual harasser in chief,’’ and called for the release of tapes and footage of Trump by MGM, the owner of the reality television show “The Apprentice.’’